St. Paul daily globe., 1887-08-13

construed unfriendly to the admlnlStra-
ton that he does not slyly notice, and
he opens it up just far enough to look
suspicious. This is his underhand
method of attacking the administration.
He has not come out boldly, fairly and
criticiSe. He attempts to cOnstrue mat
ters so that the public will get a most
unfavOrable opinion of them, and at
the same time feel sorry for the author
that he feels so bad that he has to speak
of these things. This is Pierce'S posi-
ton. He attempts TO play the martyr
act. and show up what he considers the
shortcomings of the administration,
without being responsible for it. 1t is
not an altogether enviable position
that this ex-governor occupies, as can
be readily gained by slight knowledge
of his political methods and writings.
Thinks Himself a Lawyer.
Mr.. Pierce, | notice, admits what lie
designates as the soft Impeachment"
but of which there may be a difference
of opinion. He says that it is half true
that he has been writing specials from
different points in the territory and
representing them to be from genuine
correspondents. If it is half true why
is the charge not all true? We can't
very well see how such method could
be only half true. 1t must all be true,
or not at all true. These are the
only alternatives, and Gov.
Pierce has but to take which one
he pleaSeS. Next week he will prOba-
bly, be ready to say that it is all true
that he has been writing these specials
in this underhand way, and he may
even feel sorry for 1t. We have our
doubts about this last. But it may be
that he will have little feeling of re-
pentance, and be able to see further into
the objects of the YanktOn investiga-
ton than he has been so far. This eX-
governor, who has been treated so well
by the Cleveland administration, has a
queer way of showing his gratitude.
When there is honest criticism that he
could make it would be evidently proper
for him to do so, but he goes outside of
this limit and attacks IL
work of the administration where
no question of partisanship is
involved. This is the case i'll the in
veStigatiOn of the YanktOn insane aSy-
lum, that was made at the order of Gov.
Church. Gov. Pierce says he would
like to see the bOOdlerS punished-''if
they are guilty." but if they are not he
wants their prosecution stopped. Now,
ernOr to take. If he has read the eX-
aminer's report we do not see how there
can be any doubt in his mind as to their
guilt. But there seems to lie this doubt
there in his mind. Why? Because he APP
pointed the board, and if they are proven
guilty it will be reflection on his adj
miniStratiOn, which is something Pierce
does not seem to enjoy. Pierce claims
to have been practicing attorney down
i'll Indiana, years ago, and to know
something about law. In his depart
ment he keeps continually calling upon
Gov. Church to go ahead and prosecute
the YanktOn boOdlerS, under the stat
ute in such cases provided" Under
the statute! Under what statute, we
would like to know? VIII Pierce be so
kind as to point out the statute that au-
thOriZeS the governor to proceed against
boodlers in the courts? If the governor
is satisfied that any public officials have
been guilty of .malfeasance in Office
he can suspend them from
office. That is the limit OF
his powers, and the further prosecution
of such officials devolves upon the county
where their crimes are committed. and
they must be indicted by the grand jury
and brought before the courts in the reg
ular way. There is no statute that EN-
powers the governor to arraign them be-
fore the courts at any time. Gov. Pierce
ought to know this. 1t is about time
that he was finding out that his call
upon Gov. Church to proceed against
the YanktOn trustees, according to the
Statute,' is out of order.